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Al Horford could finish his NBA career on one of two Western Conference teams

Originally posted on Ball Exclusives
By Stephen M. Smith | Last updated Jul 2, 2025 6:59 PM ET

He was a two-time NCAA Champion at Florida and earned his first NBA Championship in 2023-24 for the Boston Celtics, but will he finish his professional career in the Eastern Conference?

Al Horford, 39, has a decision to make.

The five-time NBA All-Star spent nine seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, three with the Boston Celtics, one in Philadelphia, and one in Oklahoma City before returning to Boston. He is at the point in his career where he is a good role player and leader off the bench, but will Horford continue to play or choose to retire? ESPN’s Brian Windhorst believes Horford will finish his pro basketball career on the west coast. He looks at Golden State or the Los Angeles Lakers as teams interested in Horford.

There’s a decent chance that Al Horford’s career will continue on the West Coast with either the Warriors or the Lakers if he doesn’t retire, per @WindhorstESPN

(h/t @SavageSports_) pic.twitter.com/mWvQ02E8AO

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 2, 2025

“He is valued by everybody in the league,” Windhorst said about Horford.

“He has lots of different options, including retirement. But, if he decides to continue his career … the Golden State Warriors have been very aggressive in trying to bring him in. He would fit well anywhere, but obviously the Lakers are badly in need of a center so they have been involved with him too. I would expect if he continues his career it would be here on the west coast.”

Golden State and Los Angeles are good options in the Western Conference.

Horford fits the Warriors’ culture and he would give the Lakers the big man it needs.

We will see what happens to Horford moving forward.

This article first appeared on Ball Exclusives and was syndicated with permission.

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